Holster for packs

ABSTRACT

A wearable holster for concealing a firearm on a user includes a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge. A support extends laterally from the forward face and defines a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm. The support does not cover a handle of the firearm. A retainer retains the firearm in the slot. A flap extends outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covers the support and the handle of the firearm. A quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle includes a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap. The fastener enables quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a holster, and more particularly, to a wearable holster for obscuring a firearm on a user.

When backpacking in remote locations, backpackers may encounter a dangerous animal. Accordingly, a backpacker may want to carry a readily accessible small firearm, e.g., a handgun, for personal protection. However, the backpacker may not want to appear threatening to strangers. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a holster for the small firearm that conceals or obscures the firearm but also gives the wearer quick and easy access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a wearable holster for obscuring a firearm on a user generally comprises a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge. A support extends laterally from the forward face and defines a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm. The support does not cover a handle of the firearm. A retainer retains the firearm in the slot. A flap extends outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covers the support and the handle of the firearm. A quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle includes a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap. The fastener enables quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.

In another aspect of the present invention, a pack generally comprises a load carrier having an upper portion and a lower portion. A shoulder harness extends from the upper portion for securing the pack on shoulders of a wearer. A waist belt extends laterally from the lower portion of the load carrier for releasably securing the pack around a waist of the wearer. A rifle holder includes a lower section secured to the belt and defines a slot for receiving a butt of a rifle. The rifle holder includes an upper section for retaining an upper end of the rifle. A pistol holster secured to the front face of the rifle holder supports a pistol. The holster includes a flap for concealing the pistol.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective of a backpack being worn by a user (shown in phantom) with a holster of one embodiment for concealing a firearm secured to a waistbelt thereof;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of a backpack having a holster secured to a rifle holder of another embodiment thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective of the backpack of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of a rifle holder of the backpack of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective of the holster of FIG. 2 removed from the backpack and shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the holster of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the holster similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a handgun (shown in phantom) secured within a support of the holster;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the holster similar to FIG. 5 showing a retainer strap assembly removed from the holster;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the holster similar to FIG. 7, except that a side flap is shown covering a handle of the handgun;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the holster similar to FIG. 9 except that an upper flap is shown covering the support and side flap of the holster;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective of the holster;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front elevation of the rifle holder similar to FIG. 4 additionally showing securement straps of the holster being inserted through aligned loop components of the rifle holder; and

FIG. 13 is a front perspective of a holster of one embodiment of the present invention being worn as a waist pack.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a holster is generally indicated at 10. The holster 10 of the illustrated embodiment is worn by a user 11 (shown in phantom) by attaching the holster to a backpack, generally indicated at 12, and more specifically, by attaching the holster to a waist belt 13 of the backpack, such as a padded waist belt or simple webbing belts. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the holster 10 is attached to a rifle holder 15 that is attached to the waist belt 13, though other arrangements are contemplated. As would be understood by those in the art, the holster is attachable to many different backpacks, e.g., those with an internal frame or no frame. The holster is also attachable to other packs, besides backpacks, such as waist packs.

The backpack 12 of this embodiment comprises an external frame 17 (broadly, a load carrier) for supporting a bag and/or other equipment, a shoulder harness 19 (e.g., straps) for releasably securing the backpack around the shoulders of the user 11, and the waist belt 13 extending laterally from a lower portion of the frame for releasably securing the backpack around the user's waist. The frame 17 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical frame members 23A, 23B and cross members 25 extending laterally between the frame members. Backpack 12 includes conventional frame 17, shoulder harness 19, and belt 13 but these may be of other configurations without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the backpack 12 may have an internal frame instead of an external frame, or it may not have a frame.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-4, the rifle holder 15 is secured to the backpack 12 to support a rifle 27 on the backpack. The rifle holder 15 has a lower section 29 and an upper section 31. It is understood that terms denoting position, such as upper and lower, are not used in a limiting sense but instead refer to relative positions as illustrated in the Figures. The lower section 29 of the holder 15 has a front face 33, a rear face (not shown) and opposite sides 37A, 37B defining a slot 39 (FIG. 3) sized and shaped for receiving a butt 41 of the rifle 27. When the holder 15 is secured to the backpack 12, the rear face of the lower section 29 faces toward the user 11 and the front face 33 faces away from the user. As discussed below and shown in FIG. 4, two vertically aligned rows of mounting loops 43 extend laterally from the front face 33 of the lower section 29 between the sides 37A, 37B of the section.

In the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 4), the lower section 29 of the holder 15 is secured to the backpack 12 such that at least a portion of its rear face contacts the belt 13 and its front face 33 faces away from the belt. The lower section 29 is attached to a lower portion of one of the vertical frame members 23A by a pair of straps 45A, 45B extending laterally from the side 37A of the lower section. Each strap 45A, 45B loops around the vertical frame member 23A and for reasons described below, includes a buckle 47 (broadly, an adjustment member) for adjusting the length of the strap. The opposite side 37B of the lower section 29 of the rifle holder 15 is attached to the belt 13 by a third strap 49 extending laterally from the opposite side. The strap 49 extends from an upper portion of the side 37B, loops around an attachment member (not shown) of the belt 13 (e.g., a piece of fabric attached to the belt running transversely and forming a pair of side-by-side loops), and attaches to a lower portion of the rifle holder 15. The strap 49 has a buckle 53 (broadly, an adjustment member) for adjusting the length of the strap, and together with the buckles 47 of the other straps 45A, 45B allows the user to selectively position the rifle holder 15 along the length of the belt 13. The lower section 29 of the rifle holder 15 is constructed of flexible fabric material, such as nylon, but it may be constructed of rigid material.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the butt 41 of the rifle 27 is received in the slot 39 of the rifle holder 15, the rifle extends generally vertically along the height of the frame member 23A. To better secure the rifle 27 to the backpack 12, the barrel of the rifle is secured to the associated vertical frame member 23A using the upper section 31 of the rifle holder 15, e.g., a strap. The barrel may alternatively be secured to any point on the upper portion of the pack, regardless of the type of pack.

Referring to FIGS. 5-11, the holster 10 of this embodiment comprises a panel 57 having a forward face 59 that faces away from the user 11 when worn, a rear face 61 (FIG. 11) that faces toward the user, and upper and lower edges 63, 65, respectively. The panel 57 is constructed of generally flexible and durable material, such as nylon or other flexible material, although, alternatively, it can be constructed of generally non-flexible material, such as plastic, metal or other material. Other ways of constructing the panel 57 are within the scope of this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, a support 67 for supporting a handgun 69 (broadly, a firearm), shown in phantom, extends laterally from the forward face 59 of the panel 57. The support 67 defines a slot 71 that is sized and shaped to snugly receive a barrel of the handgun while leaving a handle 73 of the handgun exposed. The support 67 is constructed of a generally flexible and durable sheet of fabric, and the slot 71 can be formed by attaching (as by sewing) a lower portion 75 of the sheet to the forward face 59 of the panel 57 and folding an upper portion 77 of the sheet downward and attaching it, such as by sewing, to the lower portion of the sheet. The support 67 can be constructed in other ways. Moreover, the support 67 can also be formed in whole or in part from a generally non-flexible material, such as plastic, metal or other material.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, a retainer strap assembly, generally indicated at 79, (broadly, a retainer) may be used to retain the handgun 69 in the slot 71 of the support 67. As shown best in FIG. 5, the retainer strap assembly 79 of this embodiment comprises a first elongate member 81 secured along a majority of its length to an exterior surface of the support 67 (as described below). A second elongate member 85 is secured to an interior surface (i.e., the surface defining the slot) of the support 67. As shown best in FIG. 7, the elongate members 81, 85 are secured together at corresponding ends by a snap fastener 89 (broadly, a quick-release securement member) such that when the members are secured together, the elongate members snugly wrap around a portion of the barrel of the handgun 69 adjacent the handle 73 and retain the handgun in the slot 71. The elongate members 81, 85 are constructed of generally flexible and durable material, such as nylon or other material, although they may be constructed using generally non-flexible material.

As shown best in FIG. 8, the first and second elongate members 81, 85, respectively, are releasably secured to the support 67 fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO®)). Each elongate member 81, 85 comprises an elongate hook or loop component (not shown) running along a bottom surface of major portion of the member. The support 67 has corresponding elongate hook or loop components 93A, 93B (FIG. 8) to secure the elongate members 81, 85 to the support. This arrangement of elongate members 81, 85 allows the user 11 to selectively change the lateral position of the elongate members relative to the opening of the slot 71 to accommodate handguns of various sizes and shapes. As an example, to accommodate a relatively large handgun, the user 11 may release the elongate members 81, 85 from the support 67, move them in a lateral direction away from the opening of the slot 71, reattach the members to the support in a selective position and fasten the members together so that the members will snugly retain the handgun in the slot. Other configurations, including other types of fasteners, and other ways of retaining the handgun in the holster are within the scope of this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, optional webs 95 extend laterally from the exterior surface of the support 67 for defining longitudinally aligned openings for receiving the first elongate member 81 when it is attached to the support. The corresponding hook and loop component 93A of the support 67 associated with first elongate member 81 runs through the aligned openings defined by the webs 95. The interior surfaces (not shown) of the webs 95 comprise a corresponding hook and loop fastener component (not shown) for attaching to a second hook and loop fastener component 98 (FIG. 8) running along an opposite side of the first elongate member 81. The webs 95 aid in maintaining the first elongate member 81 in its selective position on the support 67 as it retains the handgun 69 in the slot 71.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, a side flap 100 (generally a retainer) extends laterally from a side edge of the support 67 adjacent the opening of the slot 71. As shown in FIG. 9, the side flap 100 is adapted to fold inward over itself toward the support 67 to cover at least a portion of the handle 73 of the handgun 69 when the handgun is received in the slot 71. The side flap 100 is constructed of a flexible and durable material, such as nylon, although it may be constructed of a rigid material, such as plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the side flap 100 and the support 67 are constructed as a one-piece, integral component. As an example, the lower portion 75 of the sheet of fabric used to make the support 67 may be constructed as more elongate than the upper portion 77 of the sheet such that when the upper portion of the sheet is folded downward to form the slot 71 of the support, as described above, a segment of the lower portion of the sheet that is not overlaid by the upper portion forms, at least in part, the side flap 100. Other ways of forming the side flap 100 are within the scope of this invention. For example, the side flap 100 can be a separate component attached to a corresponding side edge of the panel 57 or attached to other components of the holster 10 without departing from the scope of this invention.

As shown best in FIG. 9, a side-flap fastening assembly, generally indicated at 103, suitably retains the side flap 100 in a covering position over the handle 73 of the handgun 69 and along with the retainer strap assembly 79, aids in retaining the handgun in the slot 71. The fastening assembly 103 may be attached to an exterior surface of the side flap 100 and extend to an opposite end of the support 67 where it is attached. The side-flap fastening assembly 103 includes a releasable fastener 105 for attaching two fastening components 107A, 107B (FIG. 9) of the fastening assembly. The illustrated fastener 105 is a clip fastener, although other types of releasable fasteners are within the scope of this invention. The fastening components 107A, 107B are constructed of generally flexible and durable fabric, such as nylon, but it is contemplated that they may be constructed of generally non-flexible material, such as plastic, metal or other material. Other types of fasteners and other ways of retaining the side flap 100 in a position are within the scope of this invention.

The side-flap fastening assembly 103 may be adjustable in length for accommodating different types of handguns having various sizes and shapes. For example, an adjustment component 109 of the assembly 103 for adjusting the length comprises a catch bar disposed between a pair of openings. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment component 109 is formed integrally with the fastener 105. A free end 113 of one of the fastening components 107A is fed through one of the openings of the adjustment component 109, looped over the catch bar and through the other opening, thereby adjustably securing the fastening component to the fastener 105.

In this embodiment, an upper flap 115 extends outward from the upper edge 63 of the panel 57. Referring to FIG. 10, the flap 115 is adapted to pivot to cover, at least partially, the support 67 and the side flap 100 and thereby further conceal the handgun 69. In this embodiment, the upper flap 115 and the panel 57 are formed as an integral, one-piece construction having upper and lower sections corresponding respectively to the upper flap and the panel. It is contemplated, however, that the panel 57 and the upper flap 115 may be of a two-piece construction, whereby the flap is attached to the panel, such as by sewing or the like. The upper flap 115 is suitably retained in its closed position (i.e., the position whereby it covers the support 67 and the side flap 100) by use of a quick-release fastener. In the illustrated embodiment, the quick-release fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO) used to releasably secure an upper portion of the flap 115 to lower portions of the side flap 100 and panel 57 (FIGS. 4 and 5). A hook fastener component 119 is secured to the upper portion of the upper flap 115 and loop fastener components 121 are secured to the lower portions of the side flap 100 and panel 57. It is understood that the hook and loop fastener components 119, 121, respectively, may be rearranged without departing from the scope of this invention. It is also understood that a fastener component may alternatively or additionally be associated with the support 67. Other ways of retaining the flap in its closed position are within the scope of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, an outer face of the upper flap 115 (i.e., a face of the flap that faces away from the support 67 when the flap is closed) may include a pocket 125 for carrying ammunition or other paraphernalia for the handgun. A slide fastener 127, such as a zipper, may seal the opening of the pocket 125 to retain the contents therein. Other ways of releaseably sealing the pocket 125 are within the scope of this invention.

As explained above, the illustrated holster 10 is adapted to be mounted on the rifle holder 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown best in FIG. 11, a pair of spaced apart longitudinal mounting straps 129 (broadly, a pair of belt mounting elements) extend from the rear face 61 of the panel 57. Each strap 129 has an end margin secured to the panel 57 and a free end margin releasably secured to the panel by a mounting fastener 131. The illustrated fastener 131 is a snap fastener, although other ways of securing the second end margin to the panel 57 are within the scope of this invention.

As discussed above, the rifle holder 15 comprises two vertically aligned rows of mounting loops 43 extending between the sides 37A, 37B of the holder. As shown in FIG. 12, each vertically aligned mounting loop 43 is adapted to receive a corresponding mounting strap 129 to retain the holster 10 on the rifle holder 15. Other ways of mounting the holster 10 to the rifle holder 15 are within the scope of this invention. Moreover, it is understood that the holster 10 may be mounted directly on the belt 13, as shown in FIG. 1. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the holster 10 is suitably mounted on the belt in a similar manner as to the rifle holder 15 described above. It is also understood that the holster 10 may be worn on the user 11 in other ways besides attaching it to a backpack 12, such as by securing the holster to a belt or strap or other articles worn by the user not associated with a backpack. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the holster 10 may be worn as a waist pack, generally indicated at 135, around the user's waist. Other ways of securing the holster 10 on the user are within the scope of this invention.

As shown best in FIGS. 1-4, the holster 10 may be worn by the user so that the handgun 69 therein is generally horizontal, i.e., is not downwardly angled as in most holsters. This arrangement may help to conceal the handgun 69. Also, the holster 10 may be reversed, so that the handle 73 of the handgun 69 faces forward, e.g., for left-handed users. Further, the holster 10 may be made as a mirror-image of that shown for left-handed users.

In use, to introduce the handgun 69 in the holster 10, the user 11 inserts the handgun into the slot 71 of the support 67. Depending on the type of handgun, if it is necessary to adjust the retainer strap assembly 79, the user 11 removes the elongate members 81, 85 and refastens them to the support 67 in a selected position relative to the opening of the slot 71. (The user may need to remove the handgun first.) The user 11 wraps the elongate members 81, 85 around the rear end of the barrel and fastens them together to retain the handgun 69 in the slot 71 of the support 67. The user 11 folds or pivots the side flap 100 over the handle 73 of the handgun 69 and fastens the strap components 107A, 107B of the side flap fastening assembly 103 to retain the side flap over the handgun. The upper flap 115 is folded or pivoted over the side flap 100 and the support 67. The hook and loops fastener components 119, 121 are engaged to secure to upper flap 115 to the side flap 100 and the panel 67. As shown in FIG. 12, to secure the holster 10 to the rifle holder 15, the user 11 inserts each mounting strap 129 of the holster through selected vertically aligned mounting loops 43 on the rifle holder. This step may be performed before or after the handgun 69 is received in the holster 10. The user 11 fastens second free end margins of the mounting straps 129 to the panel 57 using the mounting fasteners 131. To dismount the holster 10, the user unfastens the mounting fasteners 131 and retracts the straps 129 from the loops 43.

To withdraw the handgun 69 while the holster 10 is mounted on the user 11, the user unfastens the quick-release fastener of the upper flap 115 by pulling upward on the flap. When the upper flap 115 is unfastened (or at least partially unfastened), the user 11 unfastens the side flap 100 (e.g., unclips the clip 105) and pivots the side flap away from the support 67. At this point, the handle 73 of the handgun 69 is at least partially exposed. The user 11 unfastens the elongate members 81, 85 of the retainer strap assembly 79 at which time the handgun 69 may be pulled out of the slot 71.

As can be seen, embodiments of the invention make the small firearm obscured but readily accessible in an emergency situation or wild animal encounter. In this way, when encountering other hikers, for example, they remain relaxed because the firearm is not visible. It will be understood that the holster and rifle holder may be made as an aftermarket or modular kit to be adapted to or attached to any pack.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A wearable holster attachable to a pack for obscuring a firearm on a user, said holster comprising: a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge, a support extending laterally from the forward face and defining a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm, the support not covering a handle of the firearm, a retainer for retaining the firearm in the slot, a flap extending outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covering the support and the handle of the firearm, a quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle, the fastener including a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap, the fastener enabling quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.
 2. The holster as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a belt mounting element for releasably mounting the holster on a user's belt.
 3. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the belt mounting element comprises a strap having a first end margin secured to the rear face of the panel and a second end margin releasably secured to the panel and thereby defining a loop, wherein the belt extends through the loop when the holster is secured to the belt.
 4. The holster as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a snap fastener for releasably securing the second end margin of the strap to the panel.
 5. The holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the retainer includes a side flap extending outward from a side of the panel, the side flap being sized and shaped to fold over the handle of the firearm when the firearm is received in the support.
 6. The holster as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a quick-release fastener for retaining the side flap in position over the handle of the firearm.
 7. The holster as set forth in claim 6 wherein the flap includes a pocket.
 8. The holster as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a backpack.
 9. The holster as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a waist pack.
 10. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the holster has a rifle holder mounted thereon, the belt mounting element of the holster being releasably secured to the rifle holder.
 11. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the holster is made of fabric.
 12. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the holster is attached to the belt such that the barrel of the firearm is generally horizontal when the firearm is received in the support.
 13. A pack comprising: a load carrier having an upper portion and a lower portion, a shoulder harness extending from the upper portion for securing the pack on shoulders of a wearer, a waist belt extending laterally from the lower portion of the load carrier for releasably securing the pack around a waist of the wearer, a rifle holder including a lower section secured to the belt and defining a slot for receiving a butt of a rifle, the rifle holder including an upper section for retaining an upper end of the rifle, a pistol holster secured to the front face of the rifle holder for supporting a pistol, the holster including a flap for concealing the pistol.
 14. The pack as set forth in 13 wherein the rifle holder has a front face facing away from the belt and wherein the holster is releasably secured to the front face.
 15. The pack as set forth in 14 wherein the holster has a rear face, and wherein the holster comprises a fastener having one end margin fixed to the rear face and a second opposite end margin releasably secured to the rear face.
 16. The pack as set forth in 15 wherein the rifle holder comprises at least one loop extending outward from the front face of the rifle holder, wherein the fastener is received through the at least one loop on the rifle holder to releasably secure the holster to the rifle holder.
 17. The pack as set forth in 16 wherein the fastener comprises a pair of spaced apart straps and the at least one loop comprises spaced apart first and second rows each having a plurality of loops, each loop of the first row being aligned with a corresponding loop in the second row.
 18. The pack as set forth in 17 wherein the rear face further comprises a snap fastener for releasably securing the second end margin to the holster.
 19. The pack as set forth in 18 wherein the straps extend from an upper portion to a lower portion of the rear face of the holster and the first row of loops is disposed on an upper portion of the of the front face of the rifle holder and the second row of loops is disposed therebelow. 